Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study provides employment opportunities for students demonstrating financial need and is awarded as part of the student’s Financial Aid package. Applications are made through the Financial Aid Office by completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Once awarded, all available work study jobs can be found in Handshake.

Once awarded Federal Work Study, it is the responsibility of the student to apply for available work study positions. Student Employment does not assign students to any positions. In order to find a work study position, log into Handshake, select the “Jobs” tab at the top of the screen. Then select, “Filters” and select “Work study”. From there, you can scroll through your options and start applying!

How to apply for work study positions

You will need a resume to apply to most work study jobs in Handshake. This is a requirement for almost all jobs in Handshake. If you don’t have a resume or are not happy with your current one, do not worry! You only need a document in the resume field to apply, it doesn’t need to be perfect. If you would like help creating or improving your resume, check out our resume tips.

Students’ work hours are based on the total amount awarded, and the amount earned through work study cannot exceed the Federal Work Study award. The Federal Work Study wages can be used towards tuition, books, or any other necessities while attending Appalachian State University. We encourage you to consider employment as an option for financing your education.

Please note, jobs throughout campus are allocated based on the recognized need for additional staff in those departments, and off-campus work study jobs must be with private non-profit organizations or public agencies.

Next Steps:

Visit the Financial Aid website for information about eligibility.
Log on to Handshake and beginning searching for Work Study positions
Contact us for any further questions.

Hear from students about their experiences

“I have learned how to work on a team, be a loyal member of a staff and deal with conflicts. Although being a Resident Assistant can be tough, it makes all of the hard work that much more rewarding. Many of my future positions are due to my love and passion for Student Employment.”

“I have learned how to effectively deal with individuals in a professional manner. Also, I learned how important it is to keep confidential information secured. Financial Aid has exposed me to many different situations that I’m now able to deal with.”

“As a future educator, working with UREC has helped me develop communication skills and problem solving strategies. Being able to work with new people and teach new skills has been a great experience for me. Life skills as well that I can take with me throughout the rest of my life and pass onto my children.”